Our History and Mission

Bellewood & Brooklawn has a rich history rooted in a commitment to serving Kentucky’s most vulnerable children and families. Our mission is to restore hope, instill confidence, further education, and encourage spirituality and faith through compassionate and comprehensive care. With over 175 years of service, we continue to build on our legacy of healing and transformation.

Our Mission: A Commitment to Healing

At Bellewood & Brooklawn, our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing environment where Kentucky’s children and families can heal and thrive. We achieve this through a continuum of care that includes in-home services, outpatient care, residential treatment, and therapeutic foster care. Every service we offer is designed to reduce disruption in children’s lives, help them recover from trauma, and promote the wellbeing of families across the Commonwealth.

A Legacy of Care: Our History

Bellewood & Brooklawn was formed in 2012 through the merger of two historic organizations: Bellewood Home for Children and Brooklawn Child & Family Services. Both organizations were founded in the 19th century with a shared mission to care for children in need.

Bellewood Home for Children

Bellewood Home for Children began in 1849, established by members of four Presbyterian churches in Louisville, Kentucky. Originally created to serve orphaned and destitute children, Bellewood evolved into a self-sustaining community with a farm, school, and residential facilities. Over the years, Bellewood expanded to provide a full range of programs, including therapeutic foster care, residential living, independent living, and transitional living services.

Brooklawn Child & Family Services

Brooklawn Child & Family Services traces its roots to 1851 when it was founded as the German Protestant Orphan Asylum to care for children who had lost their parents to cholera. Over time, Brooklawn grew into a pioneer in child and adolescent mental health care, becoming the first not-for-profit treatment center for chemically-dependent adolescents in Kentucky by 1981.

Together, these two organizations formed Bellewood & Brooklawn, uniting their strengths and resources to better serve Kentucky’s children and families.

Our Vision: Healing Hearts and Minds

Our vision at Bellewood & Brooklawn is to heal the hearts and minds of vulnerable youth and their families. We are dedicated to creating a trauma-informed environment where every child can experience safety, support, and the opportunity to grow. Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of each child, helping them overcome the effects of abuse, neglect, and other forms of trauma.

A Future Built on Hope

As we look to the future, Bellewood & Brooklawn remains committed to expanding our services and safely reaching more children and families in need. With the support of our donors, partners, and community, we will continue to provide the highest quality care and foster a brighter future for Kentucky’s most vulnerable youth.

Join Us in Our Mission

The success of Bellewood & Brooklawn is made possible by the generous support of our partners, donors, and volunteers. We are deeply grateful to the companies, organizations, and individuals who believe in our mission and work alongside us to make a positive impact.

Together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of Kentucky’s children and families. Join us in our mission to restore hope, instill confidence, further education, and encourage spirituality and faith.